The age gap between the pipes is a perfect metaphor for how the team's roster is constructed this postseason.

The veterans are consistently leading the way and the rookies are making critically important contributions on a less regular basis.

It's a balance that a lot of AHL teams strive for.

"Your older players are always leading and leading by example and are counted on so heavily throughout the year that sometimes when you have young guys come in with their excitement - everything's new, but they're real good players - that definitely adds life to your team," coach John Hynes said.

Heading into a second-round series against the Providence Bruins that starts Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena, the Penguins' captain, No. 1 goalie and top two scorers are at least 30 years old.

Captain Tom Kostopoulos is the oldest of the group at 35. He was on the ice for six Penguins goals and no Binghamton Senators goals in four first-round games.

Mannino stabilized a turbulent goaltending situation at the beginning of March and made a potentially series-saving stop on Binghamton's Wacey Hamilton in overtime in Game 3.

Kobasew, 32, and Ebbett, 31, each recorded six points in the Binghamton series. They're one point off the league playoff scoring lead held by 21-year-old Chicago Wolves rookie Dmitrij Jaskin.

Between the four of them, they've played in 1,091 AHL games and 1,437 NHL games in the regular season and 37 professional playoff series.

"I learn so much from the older guys," rookie Carter Rowney said. "It's really exciting to watch how they play. They give you advice throughout the whole year. Even after every shift, they'll give you a little advice. The leaders in this locker room do a really good job bringing along the young guys."

Despite their accomplishments, the Penguins' 30-somethings probably would have already headed home for the summer if not for the contributions made by rookies in the Binghamton series.

It started with Anton Zlobin's overtime winner in Game 1. In Game 3, amateur tryout Conor Sheary set up Kobasew's overtime winner, seconds after Mannino's memorable save.

Scott Harrington is so steady on defense it's hard to believe he's still a rookie. His penalty killing efforts helped keep Binghamton's vaunted power play in check in the last two games of the first round.

Rowney did a little bit of everything, establishing himself as a capable third-line center and playing on both special teams at times. He would have had a goal in Game 1 in Binghamton if not for a controversial goalie interference infraction on Kobasew.

"Our rookies and second-year guys have been soaking it in," Kostopoulos said. "They've asked questions and they've responded so well. They've picked up anything the coaches or the older guys on the team have told them and really performed well."

As the playoffs roll on, it's likely that the Penguins will continue to be led by their 30-year-olds. There's nothing in their track records that would indicate otherwise. The rookies, however, are more of a wild card. How will they perform when the pressure ramps up?

It's a question Rowney is looking forward to answering.

"With the pressure, it's playoff hockey," he said. "Everyone loves the competition of being in the playoffs. As a player, you've got to learn to love it."

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